10 Places to Go in Pennsylvania for the Weekend

Pittsburgh is a lively city in western Pennsylvania and a great place for sports fans to visit. Here, you can take in end-to-end action at a hockey match, watch a tactical game of football, or enjoy an afternoon of hot dogs and baseball. PNC Park, home to the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team, is a magnificent stadium and the views of the Pittsburgh skyline are spectacular.

The city is also home to some great museums, including the Andy Warhol Museum and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This museum displays around 10,000 items at any given time with a special focus on everything related to fossils and dinosaurs.

Philadelphia is a beautiful city to explore on foot, with many of its key attractions downtown. Visit the majestic Independence Hall. Known as the birthplace of the United States, the Declaration of Independence was signed here. You can also see the historic Liberty Bell and tour the Museum of the American Revolution in this area.

Tourists also flock to this city each year to try the iconic Philly Cheesesteak – a mix of beef, onions, and cheese melted together in a bread roll. A popular place to sample this delicious sandwich is the Reading Terminal Market. You can also shop for fresh produce, baked goods, and unique, artisanal gifts.

Allegheny National Forest sprawls over 500,000 acres in northwest Pennsylvania. This area is a wonderful choice for year-round activities. In spring, you can hike on lush, green trails and admire the magnificent flowers in bloom. Camping here is popular in summer with both locals and tourists. The Hearts Content National Scenic Area has a large campground with good amenities, including picnic tables and fire rings.

Fall sees the arrival of new colors in the forest as the foliage changes to vivid shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. It’s spectacular scenery for photographers and nature lovers alike. In winter, the snow arrives, and you can try snowmobiling or snowshoeing on the designated trails through the forest.

Altoona lies just 100 miles east of Pittsburgh. It’s a town with a rich railroad history and makes a fascinating weekend trip. The town was established in the mid-19th century by the Pennsylvania Railroad, and you can learn all about it in the Railroaders Memorial Museum. It’s also famous for its Horseshoe Curve, often considered one of the engineering wonders of the world. Here, you can visit the museum and either climb the steps or ride the funicular to the upper observation areas.

For an extraordinary evening here, why not book tickets for the Altoona Symphony Orchestra? This ensemble performs live music throughout the year and is highly rated by locals.

Valley Forge is a great choice for a weekend trip from Philadelphia. It’s just 25 miles from the city, and the village lies on the outskirts of the Valley Forge National Historical Park. This beautiful park is over 3,500 acres, and you’ll love the idyllic mix of shaded forests, rolling meadows, and historic monuments. This area was the encampment site of the Continental Army in the winter of 1777-1778, during the American Revolutionary War.

Here, you can drive the 10-mile Encampment Tour Route taking in historical buildings, such as the Isaac Potts House, also known as General George Washington’s headquarters. You can also bike this route, or even take a trolley tour with a guide.

York is a historical town just 25 miles from the state capital, Harrisburg. It’s known as the birthplace of the Articles of Confederation, and you’ll find lots of fascinating history museums here. A family-friendly choice is the York County History Center where you can use the interactive exhibitions to learn about the history of the county.

The Agricultural & Industrial Museum is also a great option. Discover interesting facts about items made in York, including air conditioners and peppermint patties. Not far from here, you’ll also find Penn Market which is a wonderful farmers’ market and immensely popular with locals. You can choose from a wide range of cheeses, produce, freshly baked goods, and craft items.

Presque Isle State Park is over 3,000 acres of magnificent nature on a peninsula stretching into Lake Erie. Here, you can relax on the delightful beaches, climb to the top of a lighthouse, and take a boat tour for some spectacular views. There are numerous campsites in the area, and you can choose to stay overnight in a tent, yurt, or cabin.

Both locals and tourists come here for the tranquility of nature, and it’s a great spot for birdwatching. There are also 11 miles of trails in the park and hiking is extremely popular. For an easy hike, try Long Pond Trail, which is 1 mile long, and you may just spot some beavers too.

Williamsport is a small town in northern Pennsylvania and is an interesting weekend getaway for baseball lovers. Little League Baseball originated here, and the town is now home to a small museum and the modern-day headquarters of the league. The Little League World Series is held here every year, and it’s hard to avoid being caught up in the fever-pitch excitement if you’re here in late summer.

For magnificent architecture, be sure to visit Millionaire’s Row. The majestic houses here were built during the Victorian era by those who made their fortune in the lumber industry. They have been meticulously preserved and 1 building, The Peter Herdic House, is now an upscale restaurant.

Raystown Lake is 8,000 acres of glistening water and unparalleled scenery, just 100 miles west of Harrisburg. This is the largest lake which lies fully within Pennsylvania and an ideal getaway for those who love nature. You can swim, relax on the beach, and hike or bike on trails. There’s a good mix of long trails through the wooded areas and shorter trails, which include one made entirely from old rubber tires.

There are lots of accommodation options to choose from, including campsites and cabins. Or why not rent a houseboat? Some come with slides so you can plunge into the refreshing lake for a swim, and most come equipped with a hot tub on the upper deck too.

New Hope is an excellent choice for a weekend trip from Philadelphia. It’s just 35 miles away and easy to access from the city. New Hope is a small town, but tourists flock here for the eclectic shopping on Main Street and the thriving arts scene. Bucks County Playhouse hosts regular plays and musical productions throughout the year, and icons such as Grace Kelly and Robert Redford have been known to tread the boards here.

If you like trains, you’ll love the New Hope Railroad. A 1925 steam locomotive will take you on a wonderful, narrated tour of the Bucks County countryside. The scenery is spectacular and in good weather, the train’s open-air car is a true delight.